Historic Zoning Commission

Ft. Sanders NC: Level II

10-G-22-HZ

Applicant Request

Revised drawings submitted after application was postponed at October 2022 HZC meeting.

Exterior rehabilitation, removal and reconstruction of front and rear additions, new front porch.

Exterior rehabilitation scopes include: replacement of roof with new asphalt shingle cladding; replacement of existing windows; removal of second-story entry on side elevation; removal of vinyl and asbestos siding and installation of new fiber cement lap siding; repair and reconstruction to foundation; removal of rear deck and construction of new second-story deck on the rear elevation; new secondary access on the rear second story.

Front addition (non-historic enclosed front porch) to be removed and reconstructed as a 6' deep front porch with a hipped roof and square post supports.

CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL PER 11/17/22 HZC MEETING: 1) retention of existing eave overhangs and cornice return, use of appropriately-sized cornerboards, window trim, and door trim; 2) front door spec to be submitted to staff for approval; 3) final site plan to reflect City Engineering standards.

Site Info

Two-story frame residence with a hipped roof and projecting front gable massings. Enclosed, hipped-roof front porch, Exterior of asbestos and vinyl siding, stuccoed foundation.

1. The staff recommendation for the October 2022 HZC meeting was approval, subject to the following conditions: 1) revisions to front porch supports placement and design, with approval by staff; 2) retention of original projecting front-gable massing on façade; 3) retention of existing eave overhangs and cornice return, use of appropriately-sized cornerboards, window trim, and door trim; 4) front door spec to be submitted to staff for approval; 5) final site plan to reflect City Engineering standards. The elevation drawings also indicated casement windows when guidelines recommend double-hung windows. Recognizing these were a significant number of changes not shown in elevation drawings, the Commission postponed the application to allow the opportunity the change to revise drawings.

2. 1310 Forest Avenue is a contributing resource to the Fort Sanders National Register Historic District and local overlay. The house is a modified Queen Anne, with a front addition from an enclosed front porch. The application does not involve additions to the building's existing footprint.

3. Removal of the non-historic front porch addition is appropriate within the guidelines. Reconstruction of a full-length, hipped-roof porch complements the house's original style and form. Guidelines recommend porch proportions and materials to be compatible with original design or historic houses on the block. The porch posts have been revised in placement and size to reflect historic proportions and porch symmetry. In the October meeting, the Commission also noted the need for additional detail on the shallow porch roof; the revised application indicates a simple horizontal frieze board under the porch eaves. While the rendering shows a flat porch roof, the hipped roof as shown on elevation drawings should be retained.

4. The application has been revised to indicate the retention of the projecting front-gable roof massing on the second story.

5. Basic exterior rehabilitation scopes, including removal of vinyl and asbestos siding and installation of fiber cement lap siding, installation of a new asphalt shingle roof, new 1/1 double-hung windows, and repair to the stucco-clad brick foundation, meet the design guidelines. Removal of non-historic secondary entries on the rear and side elevations is also appropriate. The final drawings should retain existing eave overhangs and the façade cornice return, and appropriately-sized cornerboards, window trim, and door trim.

6. The initially proposed casement windows have been replaced with double-hung windows, which meet the Fort Sanders design guidelines. Guidelines also recommend a door with similar proportions and features to comparable historic houses; the applicant should select a revised front door to staff for approval.

7. Final modifications to the site plan will be necessary to meet City Engineering standards for parking. The house and parking area need to remain below 45% impervious surface for the RN-5 zoning. The final site plan could be approved by staff, provided there are no substantial modifications to the addition's design and placement.